sticky valve

[roksoc]

hey guys I changed the ouil and filter on the GA yesterday and when i turned it on I noticed a weird clicking sound my dad said it was probably a sticky valve is there anyway to remedy this I dont think i ntoiced it before since i was always driving it and this time i was standing outside

[nice96gt]

Did it click 4 or 5 times then did it again 1-3 times more a few moments later? I have a similar issue that sounds to be the same problem you might be having. It happens only after start-up for about 2-4 min after...maybe 3-5 occurences of the click and then it goes away. If this sounds the same as your problem, I'd also like to know what it is, and how to fix it.

[Colin]

Do a search for " piston slap "

[rixGAphx]

Your dad was refering to 'sticky hydraulic valve lifter', which is quite common for the V-6's.
Comes and goes, as a small particle clogs the passage inside one of the lifters (they are the small metal cylinders that ride on the camshaft lobes, and are part of the 'valve train' that pushes the valves up and down).
See www.howstuffworks.com for some very effective introductory information on engines and cars.

There are several name-brand off-the-shelf products that have special properties to dislodge particles and stop the clicking. They're advertised for freeing noisy valve lifters.
Try one if the noise doesn't disappear on its own in a week or so. No engine damage will occur in the meantime.

Do NOT try your dad's (and my dad's) old-time favorite trick of adding a quart of Automatic Transmission Fluid to the oil. This sometimes worked on old V-8's of the 50's and 60's, but isn't effective for the more-precisely machined valve lifters in modern engines.
* * *
Or, it might be piston slap :D

In which case yer screwed unless you want to pay big $$ for an engine rebuild.
Or turn-up the audio system and ignore the noise.

Good luck.
-Rick

[roksoc]

thanks guys I'l look into getting one of those cleaining liquid things u guys are very helpfull

[4kQuad]

Marvels mystery oil.......comes in a red and black can. It's called mystery oil because all the stuff it's good for.

Been around for YEARS.

[roksoc]

I'm in rochester right ow and I stopped in at some auto parts store I bought this liquid called CD2 it's for quieting lifter rings and valves so hopeflly when I get home I can put that in I would do it now but me and my parents took the ford windstar

[3100gagt]

There are also Hyperutectic pistons in your car and they have high silicone and expand when they warm up.
Also next time try putting some oil in the filter before screwing it on so you dont have a dry start.

[HeyDace]

Most 3.1's do that, especially the older '95's. Though I thought that was redesigned since then.